One hundred and fifty years ago today Ulysses S. Grant once more addressed rumors that he might be a presidential candidate in 1864. He had done all he could to quash such rumors, but they continued to circulate.
Nashville Tennessee,
January 20 1864
Hon. I. N. Morris,
Dear Sir.
Your letter of the 29th of December I did not see until two days ago. I receive many such but do not answer. Yours however, is written in such a kindly spirit, and as you ask for an answer confidentially, I will not withhold it. Allow me to say however that I am not a politician, never was and hope never to be, and could not write a political letter. My only desire is to serve the country in her present trials. To do this efficiently it is necessary to have the confidance of the Army and the people. I know no way to better to secure this end than by a faithful performance of my duties. So long as I hold my present position I do not believe that I have the right to critisize the policy or orders of those above me, or to give utterance to views of my own except to the authorities at Washington, through the General in Chief of the Army. In this respect I know I have proven myself a “good soldier.” In your letter you say that I have it in my power to be the next President! This is the last thing in the world I desire. I would regard such a consummation as being highly unfortunate for myself if not for the country. Through Providence I have attained to more than I ever hoped, and with the position I now hold in the Regular Army, if allowed to retain it will be more than satisfied. I certainly shall never shape a sentiment, or the expression of a thought with the view of being a candidate for office. I scarcely know the inducement that could be held out to me to accept office, and unhesitatingly say that I infinitely prefer my present position to that of any civil office within the gift of the people.
This is a private letter to you, not intended for others to see or read, because I want to avoid being heard from by the public except through acts in the performance of my legitimate duties.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obdt servt
U S Grant
Four years later the story would be different.
Crossroads 